Service fee announcements in Europe have been making news in the past week with Ballylinch Stud announcing an increase for Lope de Vega, a stallion that has always made his presence felt in Australia.
The 18YO son of Shamardal has surged to the highest fee during his entire career and will stand for €200,000 in 2026.
He started off at an opening fee of €15,000 in 2011 and shuttled to Patinack Farm in Australia in his early years, with his fee climbing to €175,000 in 2025.
He has sired 28 stakes-winners in 2025 highlighted by Group I winners in France (Consent), USA (Carl Spackler) and Australia (Arapaho).
Ballylinch managing director John O’Connor said: "At Ballylinch Stud, our roster combines proven stallions and emerging young sires with exceptional promise. We look forward to working with our clients to achieve continued success on the racecourse and in the sales ring.
"Lope De Vega reaffirmed his position as the world’s leading stallion in 2025, once again topping the global tables for the number of worldwide stakes horses, a title he also achieved in 2024. His remarkable consistency and versatility across continents continue to inspire confidence in breeders and buyers alike, which is reflected in his outstanding sales results. As in 2025, he will again cover a strictly limited book of mares in 2026."
Another highly progressive son of champion sire Dubawi, New Bay, sire of last weekend's German Group 1 winner Bay City Roller, stands at €75,000.
O'Connor said: "New Bay continues to enhance his reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting sires. There is also much to look forward to from his two-year-olds, including the highly rated and unexposed Yazin, Bay Of Brilliance and Parade Bay, who, among others, haves shown Classic potential. With his best-bred crops now hitting the track, 2026 looks set to be a defining year where he can confirm his place among Europe’s elite proven sires."
